The recent funeral service for victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, was marred by a protest led by local women demanding the release of youths detained by security forces. The attack, which occurred on Palm Sunday night, resulted in the deaths of at least 28 individuals and left several others injured, prompting a strong response from both the government and the community.
The protestors, armed with leaves and chanting, blocked the entrance to the church where the mass burial was to take place, insisting that the detained youths be released before any funeral proceedings could occur. Rhoda Aliyu, one of the protest leaders, emphasized their stance, asserting that the arrested individuals were innocent and should not be punished for the actions of the true perpetrators of the violence. Mathew Bulus echoed this sentiment, criticizing the military for targeting local youths instead of focusing on the actual attackers.
Tensions escalated as the bodies of the attack victims were brought to the venue, with the protesters locking the church’s entrance to emphasize their demands. Community sources indicated that the women were adamant about securing the unconditional release of the youths before allowing the burial to proceed.
The attack itself was attributed to unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, who indiscriminately fired upon residents in a densely populated area, leading to the tragic loss of life. In response to the incident, President Bola Tinubu visited the state, expressing condolences and directing security agencies to take action against the perpetrators. He also announced plans to install over 5,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras across Plateau State to improve surveillance and combat insecurity.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack as a coordinated effort to destabilize the region and promised that justice would be served. He has taken measures to strengthen security and called for collaboration among community leaders and security forces to address the ongoing issues of violence and insecurity.
As of the latest updates, efforts to obtain comments from security agencies regarding the arrests and the situation in Angwan Rukuba have been unsuccessful, leaving the community in a state of heightened tension and uncertainty.
